Our checkerboard zellige sets are offered in curated combinations. High-contrast pairings like Carbon Black and Casablanca read as a bold, graphic checkerboard, while closer-toned pairings like Glazed Earth and Casablanca read as a softer, more tonal grid. Our Roman Mosaics checkerboards follow the same logic, always pairing Carrara with a contrasting stone such as Nero Marquina or Verde Alpi.

The patterns in our special Cotto shapes are created by individual tile pieces interlocking in a puzzle-like layout. An eight-pointed star paired with a cross forms Stars & Cross, a traditional Moorish design found in courtyards from Granada to Puebla. Alcazar features complementary arrowhead-inspired pieces with curved and straight edges, named for the Spanish-Moorish fortress; the design is offered in two sizes: Alcazar and Big Alcazar. The asymmetry is the point in Zocalo, where two angular yin-and-yang tiles form a unified rectangle once set, ready to repeat across a surface.

Most likely, yes, but be mindful of the material. Our zellige mosaics, including checkerboards, Atlas, Souk, and Xylem designs, are mesh-mounted sheets suited to backsplashes and accent walls. The repeat reads clearly up close, though the material is also suitable in showers and bathroom floors. Cotto's interlocking shapes are commonly installed as floors, though they also work across walls where natural warmth is desired. The Roman Mosaics checkerboards work on both floors and walls, available in two formats: Mini Check for a compact grid in a smaller room, or Standard Check for bolder graphic impact.

Patterned tile can work in outdoor installations, but the material decides where. Cotto's interlocking Stars & Cross, Alcazar, and Zocalo shapes are suited to exterior floors in any climate, including freeze/thaw. Zellige checkerboards and mosaics hold up on exterior walls in non-freeze/thaw climates, but should not be installed outdoors where freeze/thaw is a factor. The Roman Mosaics checkerboard shares Marble's exterior profile: suitable outdoors in non-freeze/thaw climates, not suitable for freeze/thaw exteriors, and not suitable for pools or spas. Glass mosaics and 1x1 ceramics offer more versatility in outdoor spaces. For project-specific guidance, contact our team at info@ziatile.com or 310-844-1170.

The aforementioned mosaics each feature two zellige colors in different patterns. Atlas cuts each tile into a diagonal two-color split, while Souk arranges the same two colors into geometric rectangle blocks instead of a diagonal cut. Xylem mixes rectangular and square tiles within the palette, producing a more irregular repeat than Atlas or Souk. All three glazed mosaic sets ship on 8x8 mesh-backed sheets.

A minimum of 15% overage covers curation and cuts on any tile order. Checkerboards, mosaics, and interlocking Cotto shapes all make the repeat clearly visible in a patterned layout, so plan for up to 20-25% to keep the pattern uniform across the full installation. For project-specific quantity guidance, please contact our team at info@ziatile.com or 310-844-1170.